Springs Window Fashions Division, Inc.

Springs Window Fashions, LLC

John R Thomson

Larry P Belongia

John D Rupel

A light control window covering includes a plurality of cells attached one atop the other. Each cell has a substantially opaque top strip at the top of the cell and a substantially opaque bottom strip at the bottom of the cell. Each cell also includes a substantially transparent front sheer member extending vertically at a front of the window covering having an upper end folded inwardly toward a front edge of the top strip and a lower end folded inwardly toward a front edge of the bottom strip, and a substantially transparent rear sheer member extending vertically at a rear of the window covering having an upper end folded inwardly toward a rear edge of the top strip and a lower end folded inwardly toward a rear edge of the second strip. An individual cell is formed by flexibly connecting the end portions of the front and rear sheer members to adjacent ends of the top and bottom strips to form a generally rectangular-shaped loop. The window covering includes an operating element in contact with the plurality of cells for causing relative vertical movement of the front and rear sheer members which, in turn, causes the top and bottom substantially opaque strips to rotate between a first substantially horizontal position which allows light to flow through the sheer members and a second position in which the opaque strips at least partially obstruct the flow of light through the sheer members. In certain embodiments, the ends of the front and rear sheer strips overlap the ends of the opaque strips and the adhesive is provided between the overlapped ends. Also disclosed are preferred methods of making light controlling window coverings.

Light controlling cellular shade and method of making same

A Venetian type blind has a bottomrail, a headrail positioned above the bottomrail, a tilting slat, and two sets of slats carried on either upper ladders or lower ladders. The tilting slat has a center segment and an end segment pivotably attached to each end of the center segment by a common axle that runs through the center segment. The first set of slats is carried on a set of upper ladders extending from the headrail to the center segment of the tilting slat. The second set of slats are carried on a set of lower ladders extending from the end segments of the tilting slat to the bottomrail. To change the lower slats to a position different from the upper slats an operator turns an end segment relative to the center segment. Since the end segments are on a common axle they will turn together. A locking tab may be provided on each end segment which will lock the end segments to the center segment. When the end segments are so locked they will turn with the center segment and all of the slats will move together.

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Oconto Falls, WI, United States of America

John R Thomson